ADD and Treatment
ADD and its treatment are usually related to issues at school, work, or at home. The psychiatric condition is often difficult to identify and treat.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health professionals use brain imaging using SPECT to diagnose ADHD.
Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful and unorganized. Antidepressants and stimulants can help.
Limbic ADD
The most common form of ADD, also known as classic ADD or hyperactive-impulsive ADD, is characterized by inattention, a lack of organizational skills, difficulty staying on task, and trouble with memory. Brain scans show that those suffering from this condition have normal activity in the prefrontal cortex both at rest and during concentration, but reduced activity in the cerebellum and basal ganglia which are responsible for the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which helps to increase motivation, focus, and calmness. People with this type have a difficult to focus their attention and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have short attention spans. They are unable to fall asleep, and often awake in the middle of the night with anxiety. They are easily frustrated and are often angry.
Ring of Fire ADD is characterized by all the classic ADD symptoms, but also by the difficulty of shifting their attention from one thought to another and between tasks. They are sensitive to noise, light, and touch. They talk too quickly and are highly impulsive. They are prone to moodiness, low energy and anger. They also tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and guilt-related feelings.
It is possible to mistake limbic ADD with depression. However, it's different in that it boosts activity in the limbic area of the brain when it is at rest and when concentrating. It can be treated by supplements such as L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol which increase alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA is also helpful to slow neural activity, preventing nerve cells from firing in a erratic manner or in excess.
It is essential to differentiate between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder, which can cause frustration, irritability, and poor self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD has a more consistent level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.
Overfocused ADD
Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative patterns of thoughts and behaviors that trigger excessive worry. They exhibit rigid behaviors that resemble those of people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that is why it's often mistakenly diagnosed. They may become emotionally upset when they are asked to shift their attention between tasks and can respond by displaying a hostile or argumentative attitude.
These people are likely to have a short temper and their irritability stems from a constant negative or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome" and frequently feeling hopeless and a sense of worthlessness. They may also experience difficulties learning, struggle with memory issues, or feel intense anger and aggression.
People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their job or pastime. They may not remember appointments or deadlines at work or at home, and they may not finish their schoolwork or chores. They may also be extremely stubborn and resentful when disapproved of by their teachers or parents.
Children with overfocused ADD have a high degree of stubbornness and irritability, and can be prone to throwing inconsolable tantrums when their interests are not respected. They may be obsessed with specific toys, activities and video games. They are also unable to express their emotions, and can be extremely sensitive to criticism or rejection.
This kind of ADD is difficult to diagnose, especially in children. These children often don't understand the cause of their condition. It's caused by their inability to switch their attention from one thing to another. It is important to speak with an expert as these children are more likely to be misdiagnosed with ADD. This type of ADD can be treated using diet modifications, supplements, and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Medications are sometimes prescribed, but this kind of ADD can be difficult to treat with stimulant medications because they can increase a person's level of hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging is often used to identify the seven distinct types of ADD, and is particularly helpful for diagnosing overfocused ADD.
Anxious ADD
Many people who suffer from ADD suffer from a high level of anxiety. This is a comorbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, affecting the majority of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. A misdiagnosis can cause inadequate treatment and frustration.
Anxious ADD can cause issues with work, school, and social situations. This type of ADD can cause underperformance and feelings of inadequacy. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.
They are also afraid of being judged and being criticized. Due to this, they often hide their troubles from their peers. In some instances, sufferers are so anxious and stressed that they suffer from panic attacks. These panic attacks can be extremely severe and life-threatening. They can cause heart pounding sweating, difficulty breathing and difficulty breathing. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD are more active in their basal ganglia as well as the amygdala. These organs operate on an instinctual basis and place a high priority on safety. This shuts down the PFC which makes it hard for these individuals to concentrate.
If someone suffers from ADD/ADHD and anxiety and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment strategies for ADD/ADHD that are designed to stimulate the brain can actually increase anxiety among people with anxious ADD by reducing the activity of their PFC.
Amen Clinic psychiatrists employ functional neuroimaging techniques like SPECT scans to determine which areas of the brain have more or less activity are found. treating adhd in adults allows them to differentiate between the seven different types of ADD and determine the best treatment for each person.
A psychiatrist will take an entire medical record and perform a physical examination to determine if the patient suffers from ADD/ADHD. In addition, he or will ask questions about mood and behavior to assess the overall health of a patient. Some medications are used to treat ADD/ADHD however, most patients require other therapies as well, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or nutrition and exercise, strategies for sleep, desensitization and other techniques for relaxation. This can help improve their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall performance.
Temporal Lobe ADD
This type of ADD affects the temporal lobe of the brain which is responsible for mood and memory. People suffering from this kind of ADD struggle to process and store information they experience mood instability and have intense anger or aggression issues. They may also be suffering from sensory issues, such as experiencing deja vu and seeing shadows or objects change shape or hearing sounds that others can't hear. They are sensitive, irritable and easily overwhelmed.
This type of ADD is characterized by similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include low attention spans and disorganization. It also includes difficulty staying on task or following instructions. This type of ADD is not associated with an excessive amount of impulsivity or hyperactivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. People suffering from this kind of ADD may have low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine which can lead to feelings of depression and poor self-regulation. The symptoms can include sleep problems and feelings of anxiety or irritability.
In this case brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain indicate that people suffering from Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gland which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are experiencing difficulty shifting gears. They aren't able to shift from one thought or task to another, and they get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.
This is a form of ADD where people can be highly motivated and hardworking however, they have a tendency to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can lose track and be embarrassed or exhausted by their behavior. They may have a difficult time in relationships because they are hyper-active or reactive, and struggle managing multiple tasks or working with other people. In some cases, they can suffer from depression or anxiety. They could be susceptible to hallucinations and panic attacks. Medications are typically not recommended for this type of ADD as they don't treat the root of the symptoms.